Gisele's POV
My life up until now was like one crazy, enjoyable dream. Maybe if you would unsay the very beginning of my life, that is. My mother, despite her madness, loved me and tried raising me in the best way she could. Even if it is because she saw in me my father, creature that took her sanity away, gave her me and then left both of us to die.
I grew fast, faster than anyone around me, when I was one year old, I was looking and behaving like a five-year-old human when I was two I was on pair with 9 years old when I was three I was already a teenager in human standards. My pure strength and quickly boiling blood made a lot of troubles to both me and mom. Especially mom. Even more, as I was crazy enough to over and over again raid my father’s mountain and challenge him, I think he didn’t kill me only because he saw me as some adorable pet, you know – like one of those tiny dogs that keep barking and growling thinking that they are dangerous… And he kept breaking my bones and mocking me to [come whenever you like]. The humiliation only ignited my hatred more making me repeat this vicious cycle.
Then, events rolled quickly – my mother died, Jericho came to my village, he killed my father and adopted me, brought me to the guild – my new home, and found a new way to unleash my frustration – to cool my blood. By training me. Like my previous father, he was biting me and pulverizing to the ground, yet he never did that to humiliate me. Each time I would be lying on the floor he would sit by my side, start treating my wounds and with gentle tone explained to me what I did wrong. And each session would end with [Great job, Gis, you will see, you will surpass me in a blink]. Yet, now as I am about 20 years old and he still sends me on the floor.
Yeah, funny thing, when I was five and looked to be about 18-20, I stopped aging. I was told it was normal – that some kind of creatures has an accelerated maturing process to survive in a harsh environment. So, since I was five I started my life as an adventurer. I was traveling, first with an old man, then with other adventurers, gathering experience, traveling through the world and for a handful of coins I was helping people. When I saw the smiling face of my quest-giver for the first time I knew that this is what I want to do in my life. Unlike my father that brought terror upon nations, I could make then smile!
I fought, and I battled for years enjoying my life to the fullest, never bring spoiled by life, but that made my achievements only sweeter, for I knew that what I did I owe only to myself, my dedication and hard work! And then, as I was on long quest – months away from the guild, he appeared. Some white haired kid that in months managed to rank up in the guild by few levels. I wouldn’t care if not the fact, that what he did in months took me YEARS! And old man Jericho started training him! It was the ultimate offense! It was a strike directly in my pride! Someone dared to overwrite my great deeds that I achieve with blood and sweat and tears and pain!... and I was so very EXCITED! A challenger! A rival! Someone that could force me into working even harder!
Yet he was different. When I saw him for the first time I saw in his eyes… something, yet it was not dedication. However he achieved his power, it was not via insane training… in his eyes was slyness. He was kind of the man that was hiding from something, yet planning always ten steps ahead. The type of person I hate the most! We were just so very different! If we would encounter an obstacle, I would tear it into pieces! And he would just jump over it or find another way, if we would have someone we would hate, I would never hide it from him and, perhaps, challenged him on the spot just to clarify our position. And he? He would smile, pretend to be a friend just to backstab him! Or so I thought back then.
I started asking around him. Loki said that he may be bit annoying, but certainly has the skills to be an adventurer and certainly would never leave his teammates behind, Mrogul said that he is the kind of man that doesn’t judge you no matter what race you are or which goddess you believe, bah! He would even try to ask you about your culture just to not offend you in the future. And Marika – she said to me that after she told him about her past, and that she missed her home, he made for her a violet rose. The same that one that her mother used to grow in her garden, a gift someone asked him for just to ease her pain. I decided to give him a chance and started talking with him myself.
Then I noticed it. He certainly was kind of man I thought that he was, but… the reason why he was such a man… I saw it. He was afraid! Like an animal harmed by humans that was afraid trusting them again. He was moving so carefully, scheming and planning all the time to avoid another dose of pain. Poor thing was only looking for his own place! A place he could call home! I was mad at myself, once again I was about to treat someone wrong just because I didn’t see his own reasons, the background that shaped him! In my own heart, I decided to reward him all evil and rude thoughts that I pointed in his direction. Just because I believed that everyone deserves a new start.
One thing led to another and we ended in the Tower, the place where I decided to help him aaaand I spectacularly failed. I stepped on a trap that sent me fifty floors above and I got myself caught by minotaurs. I was already preparing my mind to endure all possible kind of humiliation and pain that beastkin would certainly serve me. I believed that Zari would return with other adventures after few days, maybe weeks. and he came. Few days after that. Alone. He tried to aid me from the shadows, yet again, I failed, I got knocked down.
I woke up outside of the tower. I have no idea what he did, how he did that? But, I have no doubt that he saved my life. Not only from death but from a long, agonizing, humiliating and slow death. That was also the day he told me what he was. A creature to be feared.
I saw his point. Most of his life he kept hiding from EVERYONE that would most likely kill him for sins that he had no intention to commit! There were times when I thought that my life was harsh!
Another milestone in our relationship was after we killed the Hydra, in the storage room. It was the moment when he told me exactly how he became what he is right now. And again, I shamed myself in my mind. I thought that like most men, he did that for pure power without a purpose. Maybe to prove someone wrong, or maybe to have his revenge. But no, he did that to protect those who he cared for! He bargained his existence for the safety of the whole village. The same village that cast him out after seeing what he became. I could understand those people to a certain extent. Same thing happened with people touched by the curse of lycanthropy. The kid named Jack didn’t kill anyone, it was the wolf living within that did that, still, to save everybody poor Jack has to be killed. Or the monster would kill somebody else in a month, then in half, then in a week, then in three days, then in next up to the point where Jack would be replaced by the beast itself. Those villagers didn’t know if Zari wouldn’t simply start rampaging spreading terror. Still, it must have hurt. Hurt him to the core.
From the very beginning, I thought him to be somebody else, I wanted him to be somebody else to justify my own anger. Yet, in the end, I saw him as a lost, gentleman, that cares for his friends, that would ask you about your culture, that would never leave you behind in dungeon, that would give you a flower to ease your pain, that would sacrifice himself to save you. Yet hiding behind the mask of cynicism, poor jokes, constants teasing. He would try to not let you close enough to see that. Just so he wouldn’t be rejected again.
And now, on the balcony… he confessed his love to me. Just like that. He almost forced his feelings on me! I was lost in shock! I..I mean… how could someone love ME? I am not beautiful, I am too tall and my muscles are taking all my girlish charm, I … I am not that clever! I overlooked the most subtle of hints. Usually, I got the point of my interlocutor after a week… or a month… or never… I act, then think (If I would think about my act at all), I am selfish, I am forcing my own way of doing things on other, I am…
…And then he stopped the tempest in my mind with a kiss. For the first time ever… I felt helpless. I didn’t know what to do, I was just standing there like lifeless golem… Yet golems couldn’t feel that gentle warmth, could they? For the first time ever… I wanted to be helpless. I wanted someone to take a lead, to spoil me, to tell me how much I mean to him, and not as comrade or friend! I just wanted to hide in his arms till the world would meet its end.
What did I ever do to earn love of someone so reliable… so… gentle yet assertive… so… perfect?
Zari’s POV
It was quite windy on the balcony, which meant best possible weather for me. Gisele’s dress was exposing her shoulders and back making her shiver and look for some more warmness – deeper in my arms.
“I think we have to go back, they may be waiting for us,” Gisele said with sadness in her voice
“As for me, I could stay here forever…”
“The king is waiting for us.”
“I didn’t vote for him.”
“Zari, just what are y… another one of your jokes?”
“Perhaps.”
The dragoness only rolled her eyes as she was slowly breaking our hug.
“Come on. I'm hungry.”
“A-ha!” I yelled as if I have just solved a mysterious riddle “So that was your reason all along! Tell me, what is more, important to you? Ribs in Honey served with mashed potatoes covered in thick mushroom sauce or me?” In that moment her stomach growled like angered beast “So this is how long our romance lasted. Defeated by a piece of dead cow coated in its own fat.”
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“Silly, of course, that I would choose food, I mean, somehow I lived for those twenty years without you, but food, food was always there!” despite her cruel, oh cruel words she kissed me gently one more time
“Fair enough. This time I shall overlook this affront, my lady, would you do me this honor?” I asked offering her my arm.
“With the greatest pleasure, my lord.” She curtsied with a wide grin and rested on me.
We walked back to the hall, this time we didn’t even have to avoid people on purpose, we were so busy talking and joking around that nobody even dared to disturbed us. But in the end, we bumped into ol’ friend.
“Ugh! What’s wrong with that aura around you?” Daralon asked with sour face “It’s so overwhelming! So sweet and. Wait, guys didn’t you just…. Oh, no. No-no no! You cheated on me, didn't ya?!”
“Darling, I can explain that…” I resisted the urge to chuckle “It’s not what you think!”
“Eh, that’s why I love you, bro, only you would roll with that. Also… congrats, I guess. You took your sweet time to make a move, idiots, both of you, you were falling for each other since the very beginning. I could understand why Zari didn’t see that before, he was blind, but you, Gisele?”
“Aww, that’s so sweet of you, mate, but fear not, you will always be my side chick.”
“Pal…”
“Dude…”
“Buddy…”
“Friend. Ok, see you around, in half an hour or so we will start dancing so I need to find my partner, she should be hiding somewhere around here.”
“Wait! You actually managed to convinced someone to dance with you?! How did you do that?”
“Hm? Oh, that’s because I am so charming and no one can resist me. Just kidding. I threatened to kill her family, like usual.”
He waved to us and vanished in the crowd.
“He is a pretty nice guy, but his sense of humor is creepy,” Gisele said quietly looking after dark mage.
Poor thing, she actually thinks that he was joking about his dancing partner. My prayers are with you, unknown woman wherever you are, I hope that you are not stupid enough to actually run away from him. He will track you down.
We get to the table where Blackwood and King were discussing something angrily.
“I tell you, brat, it may be the truth that our economy is in the best shape since ages, but it doesn’t mean that we can recklessly spend such a fortune on the military! I know that you are responsible for keeping army in shape, but…”
“With all due respect, my lord, those light-worshiping bastards declared war! They are fortifying their strongholds on the border! We have to respond accordingly! You said that yourself sir, we never had a better economy! Keeping an army cost coin. We have many trading partners that can keep us running! And the Holies? We're on the West, Demons on the East, mountains on the South and Pirates at the North! In the very end, if we would strengthen our border up to the point that we would discourage them from attacking, we could force them to disband part of their army to reduce costs! We could win the war before any battle would start!”
“The idea is good, but I am afraid that you don’t have all information. They are literally lying on gold. They were on the front lines in all of the precious Great Demon wars, so they were collecting their equipment and artifacts. You also know how much you can earn selling a single set of demonic armor. Also, lately it was said that they started negotiating with pirates. They could have started using them as brokers to get their deeds. This way pirates earn a percentage of the goods that the Holy Kingdom buys and the Holy Kingdom bought themselves peace on the sea. Also… Oh, the younglings came back, goddesses bless you! Because you were away we had to start talking about boring stuff! I hate talking about boring stuff outside of the counsel room!”
“You were talking about the Holy Kingdom. I don’t mind listening to them little more, in the end, I would love to know with what am I dealing with.”
“Ah, If I remember correctly the mages brought you to the Senate. Where you dropped a nice collection of inquisitor’s amulets. Those bastards won’t even leave kids alone. But no, kid. I am done talking about them.” He stopped for a moment looking at me “Or after a second thought. Still, nothing for free. I don’t mind sharing all I know about their structure, politics, economy, history, and hierarchy. As long as you would pay me with something of equal value. Feel formally invited to visit old fool as you would have some time to spare. This Friday? Noon? Lovely.”
I really like him. He may act casually pretend to be careless, but he still forces his will upon the others. For example, right now he basically forced me to pay him a visit. And he knows that I can’t refuse. I simply have no argument to use. Yes, I could tell him that I may have a quest, but then he would just wave his hand around telling that he would ask Jericho to either change the day of the march out day or tell him to pick somebody to replace me. Because Jericho owes him money, he won’t refuse. He is a man of power. He may be a good king, but he also enjoys the feeling of power that he has. Nothing is wrong with that. Still, I am not going to let him have fun just like that. Not on his terms.
“Friday, you say? Just perfect. It must be a king’s intuition that you picked the only not occupied day in my schedule. I will gladly see how the monarch of the country lives, still, I may be late an hour or two. I have a private errand or two to handle, before that.” I said smiling.
“Errand or two? Perhaps in slums?” He was bluffing. He has some information, but certainly not all of them. He hoped that I would make a mistake and tell him something. Too bad for you.
“Ah, I see that you already know what I am dealing with! Just splendid! You have just saved me from wasting my time on pointless explanation. Ah, I expected nothing less from Neira’s spy…”
King’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
“My-my, and I was told that this game can be played only by those who rule a country. Kid, are you sure that you don’t want to become a Senator of Council? It would be so much fun having you around.”
“Oh, absolutely not, my lord, you see, the fun begins only when my [opponent] notice that our positions are not equal. For example, you, as King, have the pride to keep in the eyes of your people, your mistakes may wage not only on your fate, but also on the fate of your nation. If you would be defeated, everything you worked on would collapse. And me? I am man with nothing to lose. Thus I am not afraid of playing Va banque. You, dear sir, have lost by making a mere decision to play with me.”
The song played by musicians changed telling everyone that the time for dancing came. I raised from my chair and helped Gisele raising from her, then by nodding one last time I bid my farewell to the king. I turned around and moved with the rest of the nobles to the middle of the chamber.
I couldn’t see the king grinning like a madman. If not all those people around me I could have heard him saying to his servant that stood all this time behind him.
“This kid, I just want to know how much is he bluffing. Prepare the usual for Friday.”
At the same time in the Stronghold at the middle of the Holy Kingdom
The Higher Prelate Aaron Thimidas has just finished filling all the paperwork and decided to take a walk through the monastery. Oh, not your average monastery, oh no. You see, many different organizations in the Holy Kingdom have different purposes. There are monasteries that serve the only purpose of praying and keeping artifacts, yes, but not this one.
There was a time when a powerful, underground organization called the Syndicate was ruling the continent. Of course, not via legal authority, but by their ability to collect information and send an assassin into every possible place in the world as they wished. If they considered you to threaten their businesses, you were eliminated, and there was no way to protect yourself from that. Despite the fact, that Syndicate exists no longer, the lesson was learned. The lesson of keeping information under control. The monastery controlled by Prelate Aaron has that one purpose. To eliminate everyone who would try to steal secrets of the Church. Shadow Hunters those were names of everyone who pledged their life to lurk in the shadows and hunt down everyone who learned something that he was not supposed to learn.
And then he bumped into a young girl a nun, must be a novice guessing by her robes. She squeaked in surprise as she fell on the floor tearing part of her clothing.
“I.. I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to… P..P..P…PRELATE?! I BEG FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS!”
“Now, think nothing of it, child. Just for the future try paying more attention to your surroundings. It’s a clue of being a hunter. You have to work on that. But, I am also not without a guilt. Come, let me help you.”
Yes, he was a decent man. At least for other members of the church, like a gentle father, he always helped with good advice.
“M…My robe! I tore it again! Nooo! Mother Prioress will murder me!”
“Oh, you are exaggerating, my love, which order are you in? Who is your prioress?”
“M..mother Dina…”
Oh crap. Dina. Well, poor little creature. Dina wouldn’t kill her, no. Death would be her liberation, visit in torture room would be better than dealing with mother Dina. Still, she trains the best huntresses, so there is nothing that can be done about her… cruelty.
“Tell me, child, are you good in sewing?”
“Y..Yes, I mean, I was always clumsy, so with time I had to learn how to repair my own clothing so…”
“In my chamber, I have tools that you could use to patch your robe up, and if you are good enough, that maybe mother Dina wouldn’t notice…”
“Yes! YES! Thank you, Father! But I have come here in last week and I don’t know the way.”
“I see, well, if you would kindly follow me then.”
The Prelate led the young novice to his chamber, as they were close to the door he said:
“You will find what you need in the drawer of the table. I will stay outside to give you some privacy an…”
He never finished what he was about to say.
Young novice stabbed a small needle in older man’s neck and pushed him inside. Whatever was on the needle worked quickly, or maybe it was because of the fact that needle dug directly in nerves?
“Phi, easier than I predicted. Really, you are the head of hunters? The man that screwed our plans for so long? Well, I better tell Rogue that shit that kid cooked his quite strong. Ah, I am talking to myself again!”
Woman’s voice changed into high pitched, extremely irritating tone.
“Aww! Where are my manners?! I didn’t introduce myself! Name’s Aiela! Please, call me Ay! Oh, before we start, just so you could know who hired me. The Syndicate is back, little rat. But, that’s a secret, so don’t tell that to anyone, ok? Oh, fear not, you ain’t going to tell anyone. But before I would make sure that this secret would stay between you and me… let’s make your death de-ligh-tfu-lly long!”
The woman in novice robes licked her dagger.